Food/Textiles Curriculum

Food and Textiles are taught in both year 7 and 8. Students will complete one term of Textiles and two terms of Food. There are modern purpose built facilities for each of these subjects and students will be given an introduction to the subjects and a chance to use the wide range of practical equipment in each of the rooms. In Food students will be taught elements of healthy eating in both years.

Year 7 Food

The first term of year seven is called Fantastic Fruit and Vegetables, after a brief introduction to health and safety students will learn how to classify and prepare a wide range of fruit and vegetables. They will make stir fry, savoury rice, roasted vegetables with couscous as well as adapting a recipe for themselves and learning how to write a recipe and instructions for it. The second term of food is entitled Sensational snacks and students will learn how to make a range of healthier snacks including flapjacks, pizza pinwheels, samosas, spring rolls and carrot cakes. The focus throughout will be to produce food which is healthy and can be enjoyed by the family. In terms of healthy eating students will learn about vitamins and minerals as well as the 5 A Day campaign.

Year 7 Textiles

In year seven students will learn about the Indonesian technique of Batik, they will use a tjanting to make designs using wax and an ink wash to create effective designs on their fabric. They will learn how to use equipment such as irons safely. Students will learn skills in hand and machine sewing, including how to thread a sewing machine and sewing straight and zig zag stitches. They will make a drawstring bag which combines all the skills that they have learned.

Year 8 Food

The first term of year eight food is entitled Delicious dishes. Students will be introduced to the concept of perishable foods and will learn the difference between use by and best before dates. They will learn about the macronutrients, proteins, fat and carbohydrate and how these should be eaten in the correct proportions to keep us healthy. In terms of practical work they will make dishes that could form part of family meals such as macaroni cheese, pies, meatballs in tomato sauce as well as victoria sandwich cake, bread rolls and pasties. Term two of year eight is called Food Around the World and students will look at traditional foods from a range of countries, consider concepts such as food miles, sustainability and fair trade. Practical work will include fajitas, guacamole, bolognese sauce, Thai curry, Spanish chicken and pizza.

Year 8 Textiles

In year eight students will use the theme of pop art to design and make a cushion cover. They will explore the work of a variety of pop artists and replicate the techniques used. They will use fabric pens, sublimation printing, spray inks, bondaweb and tie and dye to create a range of effects that they can use on their cushion covers. The sewing machine, heat press, and irons will again be used to realise their designs.

Year 9 Food

Students will look at a variety of topics in detail modules will include health and safety (to include the growth of pathogenic bacteria), creative cakes which will involve using the four basic techniques as well as learning to pipe and feather ice, meat and fish cookery, bread and yeast mixtures all accompanied by the relevant theory work. Students will learn more advanced preparation techniques and consider how food is presented professionally.

Year 9 Child Development

This course will form an introduction to the subject and will include a range of theoretical and practical tasks. Topics will include the family in the 21st century, first aid for children, how toys and creative activities help a child’s development as well as a consideration of the wide variety of jobs which might involve working with children from paediatrics to childcare. There will be a chance to do practical activities, work in groups, have debates and make resources to use with children

Year 9 Textiles

Students will be given the opportunity to explore a wide range of textiles techniques. They will also learn how to develop their creative skills through looking at the work of Artists and Designers linked to fashion and textiles products and through working on three different design and make projects over the year.

The first project will introduce students to decorative techniques such as Reverse Applique, the embroidery machine, free hand motion embroidery, plastic fusion and construction techniques such as inserting a zip, creating a button hole and button and how to create different seams. They will use these techniques to make a Cushion based on a ‘Candy bar’ theme. The second project will introduce students to embellishing techniques such as hand embroidery, beading, sequins and electronics along with quilting and construction techniques to make an accessory based on the Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ theme. The third project introduces a variety of printing techniques including computer aided design, transfer prints, lino prints, block prints and screenprints. Students will learn further construction techniques to enable students to create a garment out of their printed material based on the themes of ‘nature and culture’.